Reactivating Paralysed Muscles: Examination of the Therapeutic Success of the Brucker Biofeedback Method

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Reactivating Paralysed Muscles: Examination of the Therapeutic Success of the Brucker Biofeedback Method

The Brucker Biofeedback method has proved successful in the treatment of pareses attributable to brain damage. Under the direction of Head Physician Dr. Peter Bernius, the Paediatric and Neuro Orthopaedic Centre of Schön Klink München Harlaching has been a European centre for the Brucker Biofeedback method since 2002 and has recently presented an evaluation of the treatment results in patients suffering from infantile or acquired cerebral palsy. This method seems to be successful, especially from the patients’ perspective: they report a substantially improved arm function and better mobility.

The clinic has been gathering experience with this treatment method for nearly one decade. In the Paediatric and Neuro Orthopaedic Centre, it supplements the treatment of patients with underlying neurological diseases and the resulting orthopaedic problems. During the therapy, electrodes are attached to the muscles to be treated. A specifically developed computer programme visualises even the weakest signals from the brain to the muscles on a computer screen. Through this visual feedback, the patient learns how to specifically control his muscles. As a result, non-damaged brain cells are able to gradually take over the tasks of damaged cells – the mobility improves.

Patients subjectively perceive the therapeutic success to be greaterIn 2010, the treatment method was applied in 760 patients of Schön Klinik München Harlaching suffering from cerebral palsy. The arm function and the gait could be improved in three of four patients with infantile brain damage. Concerning the assessment of the therapeutic success, the attending physicians and the affected patients were very unanimous: Whereas the physicians diagnosed an improved arm function in 77.4 percent of the cases, this was confirmed by 80.4 percent of the patients.

The therapeutic success from the perspective of patients suffering from acquired cerebral palsy is even more distinct: 90.5 percent of the affected patients reported an improved arm function, whereas the physicians could verify this in only 50.3 percent of the cases. In this case, the patients subjectively rated the regained autonomy to be greater.

Schön Klinik is a training centre for the Brucker Biofeedback methodSchön Klinik mediates its experience gained during the application of the Brucker Biofeedback method. Clinical staff member and therapist Ralf Nickel is the Director of the European Therapy and Training Centre for the Brucker Biofeedback method. Nickel attributes the acceptance of this method to the fact that it conveys patients the pleasure of exercising as well as the sense of achievement; in addition it is painless. The Brucker Biofeedback method creates the prerequisite for a movement; however, it cannot substitute a subsequent muscle-building training.

You can find the Brucker Biofeedback information stand at the REHACARE Düsseldorf in hall 03, stand H42 (Market Place Brain).

About Schön Klinik München HarlachingSchön Klinik München Harlaching is an internationally recognised clinic, specialised in spinal surgery, knee, hip and shoulder surgery, hand surgery, foot and ankle surgery, sports orthopaedics, paediatric and neuro-orthopaedics, septic and reconstructive surgery as well as anaesthesiology and intensive medicine. All degrees of severity of orthopaedic diseases are treated. Apart from acute treatment, we also offer outpatient rehabilitation and prevention. The clinic employs about 480 staff, has about 200 beds, treats about 9,200 patients each year and has the EN ISO 9001 certification since 1999.

About SCHÖN KLINIKSchön Klinik is a privately owned clinic group (Schön family) specialising in orthopaedics, neurology, psychosomatic medicine, surgery and internal medicine. In the clinics distributed throughout Bavaria, Schleswig-Holstein, Hessen and Hamburg, we have nearly 4,200 beds and 7,600 employees.

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